iLounge's SDK Rumor

Via iLounge:

"The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games."

Apple's total control over the apps means they could keep software like Skype off the iPhone. At first glance, it would seem that this would give an edge to an open platform like Google's Android, which supposedly will have no oversight. But I don't think it will. After all, Google phones will operate on major carriers like AT&T, same as the iPhone. And the only reason Apple would keep Skype off the iPhone would be to please the carriers. Will those same carriers allow indiscriminate data access to an Android phone? Seems unlikely to me. Wait until someone puts bittorrent on one of those phones.

It will be interesting to see a new battle playout between those who believe the iPhone and other smartphones are computers, and thus should follow the same "open" software rules, and those who see them as peripherals, such as gaming consoles or iPods, with specific rules for software development.

I Was Wrong: Android Is an iPhone Competitor

Andy Rubin shows off a touchscreen Google Android phone. Quake looks good on an iPhone-sized screen.




Here's the link to the corresponding BBC article.

Google Codes No Evil (For the iPhone, At Least)

Google officially introduced an iPhone-optimized Google.com--just go to Google.com on your iPhone to see it (or just look at the picture on the right). The coolest feature is the auto-suggestion.

There aren’t many companies that would improve the functionality of a competing product, but Google continues to do that with the iPhone. Google is smart enough to know that people using mobile Google search is more important than the success of their Android mobile OS.

SDK Quick Thought

Apple has a phone but won't have an SDK for a couple of months. Google doesn't have a phone but has an SDK. So really, it won't be until next summer until both are on level playing fields. What it may come down to is who attracts more and better developers. I hate to quote Steve Ballmer, but it's the developers, developers, developers.

A great core system is built by the giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. But the diversity--the catering to the long tail--is done by the developers.

Uh Oh, Spaghettios

I just finished watching Google's YouTube videos for Android. I'll write up a more in-depth analysis later, but for now, some quick thoughts.

First impressions are that Google's Android does not look like some crappy open source software. It looks slick. It looks flexible. You would not be able to tell the difference from a Nokia or Blackberry. In fact, it looks better than those device's OS's.

I'm thinking about the possibilities of Android, then looking at my iPhone, which doesn't yet have a version of Sudoku on it that I can play on my commute. It seems the iPhone has competition. Not HTC Touch competition, no, this is serious competition. I'm sure Steve Jobs will eventually respond--maybe he already has with the Apple SDK.

All I can say is, I'm waiting, Apple, and I've been waiting for 5 months now (see previous post). You got me for 1.5 more years. Show me what else your phone can do.